Right now you probably hate Russia and just want to close your eyes and put your fingers in your ears when anyone says âÂÂ2018 World CupâÂÂ, but hereâÂÂs what the reaction has been out east.
âÂÂRussia is humbled in being recently named as host country for 2018 FIFA World Cup! We are now ready to go to work in preparing a remarkable tournament experience that will surprise the world of football and serve to realise the true promise and power of the FIFA World Cup.âÂÂ
Official World Cup bid website
âÂÂHurrah! Victory! We're hosting the 2018 championship! Now we have to get ready for hosting the World Cup. And, of course, perform well.âÂÂ
Russian president Dmitry Medvedev via Twitter
"We are honoured to win in this tough and fair fight. From the bottom of my heart, thank you."
Russian prime minister Vladimir Putin
âÂÂFIFA could have chosen a country which is already prepared to host a World Cup, England for instance. Instead, they chose a country to invest into. The choice was actually between the present and the future and they opted for the latter.âÂÂ
NTV+ television pundit Sergey Akulinin
'I have no doubt that the tournament will be held at the highest level. I remember how the Soviet Union was preparing for the Olympics in 1980, it was a real celebration!'
Manager Valery Gazzaev
âÂÂCongratulations go to the Russian national team who finally qualified for the World Cup. We missed out on 3 out of the last 4. Well done!âÂÂ
Artur Petrosyan Sportbox.ruâÂÂs chief football editor on Twitter
âÂÂYes, the English could hold the tournament today, but, you see, in seven years the requirements will be different, there will be stadiums, hotels and airports. It's a big plus for us to start from scratch.âÂÂ
Former Russian international Andrei Kanchelskis
You have entrusted us with the FIFA World Cup for 2018 and I just can promise, we all can promise, you will never regret it. Let us make history together. We are building a new Russia. ⦠We can achieve this better and quicker with your help.âÂÂ
Russia's deputy prime minister Igor Shuvalov
"Dear friends, I heartily congratulate everyone in this brilliant victory⦠I congratulate the huge army of Russian fans. I congratulate all those who prepared and supported the bid. We will of course have experience in holding such events after the 2014 Olympics, but this is a huge and a serious event.âÂÂ
Dmitry Medvedev
âÂÂFor our country, this is an historic event.âÂÂ
CSKA Moskva manager Leonid Slutsky
âÂÂThis decision corresponds with the philosophy of FIFA.âÂÂ
Russian Football Union President Sergei Fursenko
âÂÂIâÂÂm very happy, because this is a huge event. None of us yet understands what it means for the country. Probably a lot of us will only understand after 2018.âÂÂ
ArsenalâÂÂs Andrey Arshavin
âÂÂWe won!âÂÂ
National team manager Dick Advocaat
âÂÂI am happy for Russia.âÂÂ
Former national team manager Guus Hiddink
